Hi Frank, it's most common with a recipe that includes any whole grains, as the rest period allows for the bran to soften. It also may just be the preferred style of the recipe developer. Even if a recipe doesn't call for it, there's nothing saying you couldn't do an autolyse. Since this is a no-knead bread, the entire process is almost like one giant autolyse except for all of the ingredients are in it, since it isn't fully kneaded. So that, in combination with there being no whole grains, is likely why this recipe doesn't call for one. But you could add one if you'd like.

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